Oral health measurement clamping probe, system, and method

ABSTRACT

Devices, systems, and methods determine the health of oral objects by providing objective measurements using a detachable probe body. The detachable probe body may isolate reusable system components (including an electromagnetic signal detection, signal transmission, energy generation, and or energy transmitting components) from the oral cavity, optionally by encasing at least a portion of one or more of these components in a sheath or the like. A window of the probe body maintains sterile isolation and transmits electromagnetic energy to and or signals from the oral object. Accuracy can be enhanced by a clamp or other structure for engaging a surface of the oral object so as to maintain a fixed alignment between the signal receiver and the oral object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides improved devices, systems, andmethods for evaluating tissues, materials, and/or fluids within the oralcavity. In many embodiments, the invention provides improved devices,systems, and methods for determining tooth vitality (or other healthcharacteristics of other oral objects), often through the use of adetachable probe body which allows transmission of electromagneticsignals while protecting other system components from contamination. Theprobe body may be disposable or sterilizable.

Diagnosing the health of a particular tooth can be a challenge. Patientsmay (or may not) experience tooth pain for a variety of reasons.Techniques now employed to detect the health or vitality of a tooth, andparticularly of the dental pulp within a tooth, are quite subjective. Asa result, dentists may perform inappropriate treatments for a tooth, insome cases without resolving or eliminating the real source ofproblem(s).

Techniques commonly employed to detect dental pulp vitality often relyon application of a stimulus to the tooth. The dentist may evaluate apatient's subjective response to the stimulus, in part to determine ifthe pulp has deteriorated so much that it must be enervated. Thestimulus may include thermal (cold or heat), mechanical, and/orelectrical energy applied to the tooth under examination, with thedentist asking the patient whether he or she feels any sensation.

Unfortunately, patients are often in pain when they seek treatment, andthe sensations resulting from such stimuli can be intensely unpleasantto the patient. Moreover, the mere ability to sense stimulation appliedto a particular tooth may not mean that the pulp within that tooth (andits nerves) remain healthy (and vice versa), and both the patient'ssubjective reaction to the stimuli and the dentist's subjective abilityto interpret the patient's response may play a role in the evaluation.False positive indications of successful stimulation may result, forexample, from indirectly stimulating surrounding tissues or nearby oralobjects. Tooth stimulation examinations may also provide littleinformation regarding gradual changes underway in tooth vitality. As aresult of the limitations on clinical techniques for accuratelydetermining tooth vitality, patients may have the wrong tooth extracted,removing a viable tooth while the original source of the problemremains, or patients may be subjected to other forms of misplacedtreatment.

A variety of improvements have been suggested for more accurately andmore objectively measuring tooth vitality. Studies have proposedapplying pulse oximetry and laser Doppler flowmetry to determine theintegrity of the pulp underlying a tooth. These proposals have indicatedthat it may be possible to detect blood oxygenation and/or flow using,for example, the changes in light absorption passing through a tooth,the shift in light frequency returned back from a tooth, or the like.Unfortunately, these proposals have largely relied upon bloodmeasurement systems intended for use in other environments. Theseenvironments differ significantly from a practicing dentist'sexamination room, and the existing blood measurement systems often havecosts which are untenable for most dentists. As a result, despite thetheoretical benefits that may be available, prior proposals for improvedtooth vitality measurements have not found widespread application amongpracticing dentists.

In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide improveddevices, systems, and methods for measuring and/or determining toothvitality. It would be particularly advantageous if these improvementsmade it practical to implement objective tooth vitality detection andmeasurements performed by practicing dentists on their patients. Itwould be particularly advantageous if these improved techniques enhancedtooth vitality measurement accuracy and objectivity using simple methodsand structures suitable for use by a dentist, hygienist, or the like inthe dental examination room.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides improved devices, systems, andmethods for determining the health of oral objects within the oralcavity. The invention may, for example, help provide practical objectivemeasurements of tooth vitality and the like. A variety of other oralobject health characteristic measurements might also benefit from theseimproved (and often more objective) techniques. Oral objects forevaluation might include teeth, gums, the tongue, and/or the like. Alongwith oxygenation and/or other characteristics of blood and its flowwithin an oral object, desirable characteristics to be measured mayinclude the presence or absence of materials, chemicals, biomaterials,bacteria, materials absorbed or secreted by bacteria, and the like.

In a first embodiment, the invention provides a detachable probe bodywith use with an oral health measurement system for oral healthmeasurements of an oral object within a mouth of a patient. The mouthhas oral surfaces, and the health measurement system has reusablecomponents including an electromagnetic signal receiver coupled to aprocessor evaluating a health-related characteristic of the mouth froman electromagnetic signal. The probe body comprises window capable oftransmitting the electromagnetic signal from the oral object to thesignal receiver. A casing extends from the window, the casing and windowtogether defining an opening for receiving the signal receiver so as toprovide isolation of the reusable components from the mouth. At leastone probe surface is oriented to engage one or more oral surfaces so asto maintain alignment between the signal receiver and the oral object.

The at least one probe surface region will often comprise a first probesurface region and a second probe surface region. The probe may receivethe oral object with the first and second probe surface regions. Theprobe body will often comprise a first probe body portion having thefirst probe surface region and a second probe body portion having thesecond probe surface region, the second body portion movable relative tothe first body portion. A biasing structure may urge the first probesurface region toward the second probe surface region when the oralobject is at a desired position therebetween so as to accommodate arange of differing oral object sizes. For example, the first bodyportion may slidingly receive the second portion with the biasingstructure comprising a spring urging the second region toward the firstregion. In some embodiments, a ratchet may couple the first portion tothe second portion so as to allow the biasing structure to decreaseseparation between the first surface region and the second surfaceregion. The ratchet may inhibit motion of the second surface region awayfrom the first surface region. Such a ratchet may be used with orwithout a biasing mechanism, for example, by relying the dentist to movethe two body portions together.

Optionally, a deformable material will define at least one of the firstbody portion, the second body portion, and an intermediate portioncoupling the first and second body portions. The deformable materialmay, for example, bias the probe surface regions towards each other. Theintermediate portion may comprise a resilient spring, a polymerstructure such as a soft plastic which can be bent while pressing theprobe body onto a tooth, and then hold to the tooth due to the force ofthe resilient polymer trying to resume its original shape, or the like.Similar structures may be used to clamp a probe body to the gums,tongue, or other oral objects. The deformable material may optionallydefine at least one of the probe surface regions, and may besufficiently soft so as to deform against the oral object when a dentistmanually applies pressure. In some embodiments, the first probe bodyportion may move toward the second probe body portion when a pressure isapplied with an orientation lateral relative to the movement. Forexample the probe body may be configured so as to induce the movement ofthe probe body portion and engage opposed surfaces of at least one toothwhen a patient bites the probe body.

Optionally, the at least one probe surface may be defined by a materialthat deforms and introduces sufficient friction so as to temporarilyaffix the probe body relative to the oral object. Such deformablematerials may be sufficiently soft so as to deform against the oralobject when a dentist manually applies pressure. Suitable materials mayinclude Thixatropic gels, and may be sufficient to hold the probe inplace with no further pressure.

The reusable components of the measurement system may include atransmission medium or a wireless system. The case may fittingly receivethe signal receiver to a predetermined position within the opening, andthe casing may comprise a sheath receiving at least a portion of thetransmission medium or the wireless system so as to maintain sterileseparation between the reusable components in the mouth. Where thetransmission medium comprises an optical waveguide, the signal receivermay comprise a distal end of the optical waveguide, and the sheath maydistally receive the waveguide. Optionally, a mirror may be disposedalong an optical path between the window and the end of the opticalwaveguide. A joint may couple the sheath to an oral object receivingportion of the casing so as to allow movement therebetween. Moregenerally, the probe body may include a joint coupling at least aportion of the casing to the at least one probe surface.

In some embodiments, the transmission medium may include an electricalconductor and the signal receiver may comprise a light detector circuit.The sheath can receive a portion of the conductor adjacent the lightdetector circuit. The signal receiver of the oral health measurementsystem may be coupled to an electromagnetic source of the oral healthmeasurement system. The casing may receive the signal receiver and atleast a portion of the electromagnetic source therein.

The casing may have a feature for engaging a surface of the oral healthmeasurement system to position the signal receiver relative to thecasing. The casing may frangible or permanent deformable adjacent thefeature when the signal receiver is removed from the casing so as toinhibit reuse of the probe body. At least one material of the probe bodymay be difficult to sterilize, with the probe body often comprising adisposable product. In some embodiments, at least an outer surface ofthe probe body may be sterilizable.

The oral health measurement system may have a source of visible ornon-visible light energy, and another window may be provided in theprobe body with or without another casing for receiving at least aportion of the energy source of the oral health measurement system. Thevisible or non-visible light energy may be directed toward the oralobject from the other window.

The oral health measurement system may have a source of visible ornon-visible light energy coupled to a transmission medium. Thetransmission medium may also direct the signal from the signal receiverto the processor. The signal receiver may comprise an integrated signalreceiver/energy transmitter. The opening of the probe body may removablyreceive at least a portion of the transmission medium adjacent theintegrated signal receiver/energy transmitter. Optionally, a reflectivesurface may be provided in the probe body with oral object beingdisposed between the window and the reflector when the window isoriented to transmit the energy toward the oral object. The reflectormay help direct energy which has passed through the oral object backtoward the window, and hence, to the integrated signal receiver/energytransmitter.

In another aspect, the invention provides a detachable probe body foruse with a blood measurement system for tooth vitality measurements of atooth within a mouth of a patient. The mouth has oral surfaces, and theblood measurement system may have reusable components including a lightsignal receiver coupled to a processor for evaluating a characteristicof blood from an electromagnetic signal. The probe body may comprise awindow capable of transmitting the light signal from the tooth to thesignal receiver. A casing may extend from the window. The casing andwindow together can define an opening for receiving the signal receiverand at least a portion of the signal transmitter so as to provideisolation of the reusable components from the mouth. At least onesurface may be oriented to engage one or more oral surfaces so as tomaintain alignment between the signal receiver and the tooth.

Along with tooth vitality measurements based on blood characteristics,the probe body may be useful for obtaining a variety of oral healthmeasurements. The measurements may make use of pulse oximetry,spectrophotometry, laser Doppler, and the like, and may measure healthcharacteristics of gums, the tongue, and one or more teeth. The probebody may receive the tooth with first and second surface regions, andmay include a biasing structure urging the surface regions towards oneanother when a tooth is therebetween so as to accommodate a range ofdiffering teeth. The surface regions of the surface body may be disposedon associated probe body portions, with a first portion slidinglyengaging and being urged toward the second portion, for example, whenthe patient bites the probe body. Optionally, the at least one surfacemay be defined by a material that deforms so as to temporarily affix theprobe body relative to the tooth. The material may be deformed by thedentist manually pressing the probe body against the tooth, by havingthe patient bite on the probe body, or the like.

In many embodiments, the casing will fittingly receive the signalreceiver to a predetermined position within the opening. The bloodmeasurement system may include an optical waveguide, and the signalreceiver may include a distal end of the optical waveguide, with theopening distally receiving the waveguide. The blood flow measurementsystem may include an electrical conductor and the signal receiver maycomprise a light detector circuit, with the opening receiving the lightdetector circuit and at least a portion of the conductor adjacent thelight detector circuit. Still further options are possible, includingmaking use of a blood flow measurement system that includes a lightdetector circuit powered by a battery or the like and providingtelemetry of signals from the tooth using a wireless transmitter withthe opening of the probe body receiving the light detector circuit,battery (or other circuit power source), and wireless transmitter.

A feature of the casing may engage a surface of the blood measurementsystem to position the signal receiver relative to the casing and/orwindow. The casing may be frangible or permanently deformable adjacentthe feature when the signal receiver is removed from the casing so as toinhibit reuse of the probe body. In other embodiments, the casing may besterilizable and reusable.

Blood measurement system may have a light energy source and an energytransmission medium. Another window and another casing of the probe bodymay define another window for, receiving the energy source and at leasta portion of the energy transmission medium. In some embodiments, theblood measurement system will have a light energy source and an energytransmission medium for directing energy to the tooth, but the energytransmission medium will also direct the signal from the signal receiverto the processor. Optionally, the signal receiver may comprise anintegrated signal receiver/energy transmitter. Hence, the opening of theprobe body may receive at least a portion of the transmission mediumadjacent the integrated signal receiver/energy transmitter, with boththe light energy from the energy source and the signal from the toothbeing transmitted through a single window. Optionally, the probe bodymay include a reflective surface which can be oriented so as to reflectlight energy transmitted from the window in which passes through thetooth back toward the window. In other embodiments, the signal mayinstead rely on light scattering within the tooth.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides an oral health measurementsystem for measurements of oral health within a mouth of a patient. Themouth has oral surfaces, and the measurement system comprises ameasurement apparatus having a visible or non-visible light source. Themeasurement apparatus also has an electromagnetic signal receivercoupled to a processor. A detachable probe body includes a casing, asurface oriented to engage one or more oral surfaces and at least onewindow. The casing removably receives the signal receiver and thesurface maintains alignment between the signal receiver and the oralobject. The at least one window is disposed along an energy pathextending from the source to the oral object and from the oral object tothe receiver. The at least one window transmits visible or non-visiblelight energy from the source to the oral object and an electromagneticsignal from the oral object to the signal receiver.

The measurement apparatus will often include at least one of aspectrophotometer, a pulse oximeter, and a laser Doppler system. Forexample, the electromagnetic source may comprise a laser or lightemitting diode (LED) generating light at a first frequency. A blood flowmeasurement system may include a pulse oximeter module that producesblood oxygenation signals in response to light at the first frequencyand light at a second frequency. Optionally, a laser Doppler module mayproduce blood flow signals in response to light at the first frequency.The detachable probe body may comprise at least one mirror disposedalong the optical path. The mirror, for example, may be disposed betweenan end of a light waveguide and a window, with the light waveguideacting as an energy transmitter, a signal receiver, or both.

The energy source may generate visible or non-visible light energy at aplurality of frequencies, and the measurement apparatus may comprise aspectrophotometer employing at least one of the frequencies, a pulseoximeter employing at least two of the frequencies, and a laser Dopplersystem employing at least one of the frequencies.

The casing may isolate the signal receiver from the mouth. The processormay determine a health characteristic of the oral object in response tothe light signal. The light signal may be modulated per a modulationsequence. The processor may use the modulation sequence to determine theoral health characteristic, the modulation sequence may be random,pseudo-random, or the like, and use of such modulation may improvesignal-to-noise performance of the system.

The light source may generate light at a range of frequencies. Theprocessor may comprise a spectrophotometer module for determining theoral health characteristic from the light signal. In addition to bloodcharacteristics, such spectrophotometer capabilities may allow thesystem to identify the presence or absence of bacteria, bacterialproducts and the like.

The various aspects of the present invention may make use of detachableprobe bodies having outer surfaces which are defined by sterilizablematerials. The probe body may be configured for repeated attachment to,and detachment from other system components. Alternatively, thedetachable probe bodies may not be safely sterilizable.

In a method aspect, the invention provides a method for measuring oralobject health. The method comprises covering a signal receiver with adetachable probe body. The signal receiver is affixed relative to anoral object using the probe-body. An oral health characteristic signalis generated by directing visible or non-visible light energy toward theoral object. The oral object health signal is detected with the affixedsignal receiver through a window of the probe body. An oral healthcharacteristic is determined by processing the detected oral healthsignal with a processor coupled to the signal receiver.

The probe body will often be removed from the mouth and the signalreceiver removed from the probe body so that the probe body can bedisposed of. The signal receiver may be covered by another probe body,and affixed relative to another oral object in another mouth with theother probe body so as to avoid contamination of the other mouth whenreusing the signal receiver. Optionally, removing the signal receiverfrom the probe body changes the probe body so as to inhibit reuse of theprobe body. In other embodiments, the method may comprise removing thesignal receiver from the probe body, sterilizing the probe body,recovering the signal receiver with the probe body, and determining ahealth characteristic of another oral object in another mouth using thesame probe body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an oral object vitalitymeasurement system using pulse oximetry, spectrophotometry, and laserDoppler techniques to measure oral object health, including a detachableprobe body configured to maintain alignment of the system componentswith a tooth or other oral object while providing sterile isolation ofthe mouth from the reusable system components.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional image illustrating a detachableprobe body for use in the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic cross sections illustrating alternativelight transmitting and receiving structures and associated transmissionmedia for use in the detachable probe body of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross section illustrating an alternativedetachable probe body for use in the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic cross sections illustrating a lightwaveguide and a light detecting or generating circuit for use togetherin the detachable probe of FIG. 4, optionally using two separate lightwaveguides, two separate circuits, and associated conductors or onewaveguide and one circuit conductor set for transmitting energy to anoral object and passing signals from the oral object to a processor.

FIGS. 6A through 6C are simplified perspective views schematicallyillustrating components of a detachable probe body and associated lightreceiving and transmitting components for use in the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6D and 6E are schematic cross-sections showing a frangibleembodiment of the probe body and associated re-usable components.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled components ofFIGS. 6A-C.

FIG. 8 is a simplified cross section illustrating an alternativedetachable probe structure and method for its use in which the probecomprises an adhesive or deformable material to help maintain alignment,and in which the patient bites the probe body to help maintain alignmentof the signal receiver with a tooth.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further alternative detachable probe body in whichthe patient bites the probe body so as to clamp the probe body onto thetooth and maintain alignment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides improved devices, systems, andmethods for diagnosing bone, tissues, and/or fluids accessible withinthe oral cavity. In many embodiments, the invention provides improveddevices, systems, and methods for determining oral object health,generally through the use of a detachable probe body which allowstransmission of electromagnetic energy while protecting fixed orreusable components from contamination, thereby eliminating any need torely on repeated sterilization of those fixed or reusable components.

While the exemplary embodiments are often described with reference totooth health measurements, and particularly with reference to toothvitality measurements, the techniques of the present invention may findapplications in diagnosing a variety of diseases of tissues within theoral cavity. For example, along with detecting blood flow and/oroxygenation so as to determine tooth vitality and/or health of gumtissues, the tongue, and dental pulp; the devices, systems, and methodsdescribed herein may detect and/or measure disease states usingspectrophotometry or other techniques, often employing visible and/ornon-visible light energy (including infrared, ultraviolet, and thelike), and by detecting and/or measuring signals generated by oralobjects in response to that light. Hence, the oral objects to beevaluated may include, but are not limited to teeth, gums, cheeks, andthe tongue. Both the electromagnetic energy directed at these oralobjects and the signals generated therefrom will often (but not always)be in the form of visible or near-visible light.

In many cases health may be evaluated by determining the quality ofblood and its flow within the oral object. However, general evaluationcharacteristics include, and are not limited to, the presence or absenceof any materials, chemicals, biomaterials, bacteria, materials absorbedor secreted by bacteria, the presence or absence of cancerous tissues,or the like. Therefore, the method in the present invention can be usedto determine many kinds of health and vitality issues, includingvitality and health of a nerve and the pulp within a tooth, decay, thepresence of tumors, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an oral health measurement system 10 generallyincludes a detachable probe 12 and a reusable signal receiver andtransmission medium assembly 14 coupled to a processor 16 so as to allowhealth measurements of an oral object, for instance of a tooth engagedby the probe.

As can generally be understood with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, probe 12includes one or more surface regions 18 which are configured andoriented for engaging one or more surfaces of a tooth or other tissuestructure within the oral cavity. Alternative embodiments may engagesurfaces of a plurality of oral objects, such as of a plurality ofteeth, of a tooth and adjacent gums, and the like. A window 20 istransmissive of electromagnetic signals, typically being transmissive oflight signals and light energy. A casing 22 of probe body 12 extendsfrom window 20, with the casing and window together defining an opening24.

Opening 24 is generally configured to receive a signal receiver and atleast a portion of a transmission medium of receiver/medium assembly 14.The exemplary reusable receiver/medium assembly 14 includes an opticalwaveguide 26 defining a proximal orientation and a distal orientation,with a distal light receiving waveguide end 28.

Optical waveguide 26 directs signals from waveguide end 28 to one ormore light detectors 30. An optical system 37 may optionally be providedto direct light energy from a light source 36 toward an oral objectand/or signals from waveguide end 28 toward detector 30. Optical system37 may also split and/or filter light energy and signals, often usingknown components for splitting, filtering, diffraction, reflection,mixing, and/or other optical operations. Light detector 30 generateselectrical signals in response to the light signals, and transmits thoseelectrical signals to processor 16. Processor 16 then uses theseelectrical signals to determine the vitality and/or other healthcharacteristics of the tooth or other oral object.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, processor 16 may include, for example,a pulse oximeter module 32, a spectrophometer module 33, and/or a laserDoppler module 34. Pulse oximetry, spectrophotometry, and laser Dopplersystems make use of a light source 36 to direct electromagnetic energytoward an oral object so as to induce the oral object to generate ahealth characteristic signal. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, light source36 transmits light energy along an optical path 38 through opticalwaveguide 26, past waveguide end 28, and through window 20 to a tooth.The light may be reflected by a reflective surface 40 of probe body 12so as to pass twice through an engaged tooth, or may be scattered fromwithin the tooth. Regardless, light signals generated by the tooth inresponse to the light energy from light source 36 are transmittedproximally through window 20 and end 28, along optical waveguide 26, andto light detector 30 so as to complete the optical path 38.

Processor 16 may comprise a general-purpose computer (such as a desktopcomputer or a notebook computer) or a specialized computing device. Theprocessor will often include an output device, along with at least oneuser input device, such as a keypad, keyboard, touch screen, mouse,joystick, or the like. Processor 16 may output the oral healthmeasurement analysis results to the user directly via a screen, lightemitting diode, Internet, intranet, or the like, or may recordmeasurement results to magnetic recording media, optical recordingmedia, printed paper, or the like. Processor 16 will also typicallyinclude an interface for coupling the processor to light source 36 andlight detector 30, the processor, light source, light detector, and/oran associated optical system 37, optionally including optical elementssuch as mirrors, semitransparent mirrors, filters, prisms, etc., and oneor more digital-to-analog converter or the like. Regardless of whether ageneral purpose computer or specialized device is provided, light source36 and/or light detector 30 may be mounted within a housing of theprocessor, may be included in one or more external peripheral devices,or may be insertable at least in part into probe body 12.

System 10 may advantageously make use of any of a large number of widelyavailable components. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, processor16 and/or output/control module 40 may comprise a suitable SRAM or othermemory available from ST Microelectronics or a wide variety ofsuppliers; a 1M×16 Flash memory available from Intel under model numberTE28F160C3BD70; and a micro-controller available from Cypress undermodel number CY8C27466 PSOC. Processor 16 may also comprise, forexample, a DSP available from Motorola under model number DSP56F807,which may also contain (or be used as at least a part of) oximetermodule 32, spectrophotometer module 33, and/or laser-Doppler module 34.

An exemplary light source 36 may include, for example, a Lasermate VCSELsource for 650 nm light (such as those found in DVD ROM pickups)available under model number LD-650-7A. As noted above, light source 36may provide light at a plurality of wavelengths, so that the lightsource will often include a plurality of light generators, optionallyincluding an array of light generators at one or more frequencies. Forexample, light source 36 may also include a VCSEL source to generate 850nm light such as that available from Lasermate under model numberLD-850-10A. Three or more different frequencies of light energy may beemployed by the system in measuring the health of oral objects, with theexemplary embodiment of light source 36 also comprising a Lasermate FPlaser Diode source to generate 1310 nm light commercially availableunder model number T13F-RFC2-B2. In some embodiments, light source 36may comprise a source of broadband or white light to provide lightthrough out a range of frequencies, such as a tungsten, deuterium,and/or xenon flash lamp.

An exemplary light detector 30 may similarly include commerciallyavailable components, such as a Cypress micro-controller describedabove, and/or a Pin diode detector available commercially from Lasermateunder model numbers RSC-M13P406, RSC-M85P406 and/or RSC-M65P406. Onceagain, one or more individual light sensitive devices may be employed bylight detector 30. Optical system 37 may optionally include any of awide variety of optical components, such as mirrors, semitranslucentmirrors, lenses, prisms, optical filters, and the like. Processor 16and/or system 10 may also include, for example, a USB interface such asthat available from Cypress under model number CY7C67300.

In some embodiments, system 10 may comprise a handheld system. In suchembodiments, processor 16 may comprise a relatively simple controller orprocessor, such as those embedded in an FPGA. For instance, one or moreprocessors and microcontrollers such as those of a Xilinx FPGA may bereadily available and may be suitable for use in a handheld system 10.Suitable handheld processors may include a PicoBlaze(TM)8-bitmicrocontroller, a MicroBlaze(TM), a “lightweight” PowerPC, and/or aPowerPC 405. These and other structures may be available commerciallythrough Xilinx. Similarly, Altera offers various processors that may beusable, including the Nios and Nios II family processors. ARM, MIPS, ARCprocessors, the Hitachi SH-3 and higher series, might be used, as wellas historical processors now in the public domain, such as the 8051.

The specific components listed above are examples of structures whichmay be considered for use in an exemplary system 10, although a largenumber of alternative components might also be employed. In manyalternative systems, some or all of the structures and functionsschematically illustrated can be combined or even omitted, so that somesystems may have little or no optical system 37, for example. Somesystem may rely entirely on spectrophotometry (foregoing the use oflaser-Doppler 34 and oximeter module 32), while others may employ onlypulse oximetry or laser-Doppler, while still others employ a combinationof any two of these three alternatives, optionally in combination withone or more additional separate oral health measurement techniques.

In general, processor 16 may include a combination of hardware andsoftware, and will often include machine-readable code embodyingcomputer programming instructions to perform one or more of the methodsteps described herein. While the various method steps and structuresare described and illustrated as being performed by modules, it shouldbe recognized that the functional programming instructions steps ofthese modules may be integrated into a single programming code, or maybe separated into several different codes or subroutines in a widevariety of program code architectures. Similarly, while the schematicillustration of FIG. 1 shows separate modules for pulse oximetry,spectrophotometry, and laser Doppler processing, the actual calculationsmay be performed by a single integrated module, by separate processorboards, or by a plurality of electronic circuits performing differentportions of these calculations for different modules in any of a widevariety of data processing architectures.

Pulse oximeter module 32 takes advantage of changes in blood color withvarying oxygenation of the hemoglobin in red blood cells of the blood.Oxygenated blood is bright red, while blood which is lower in oxygenbecomes gradually darker in color, bordering on purple. The degree ofoxygen saturation can be determined from the color of blood. Bydirecting, for example, a red light through a vascular bed (such as ahealthy dental pulp) and measuring how much of the red light isabsorbed, pulse oximeters can determine whether blood oxygen saturationis relatively high (thereby absorbing a relatively large amount of redlight) or low (from relatively low red light energy absorption).

A number of factors may affect the quantity of red light absorption,including tooth thickness, variations in tooth enamel, tooth color,thickness and location of the dental pulp, the presence of pulp, thepresence of any fillings or caps on the tooth, and the like. Toaccurately compensate for these and other factors, pulse oximetersmodule 32 may make use of a different light energy generated by lightsource 36 at a different frequency, such as an infrared light energy.Light detector 30 can measure the strength of the light signals from theoral object at the frequencies of the selectively absorbed red light andat the infrared light frequency. Extraneous light attenuation canthereby be compensated for, allowing accurate determination of red lightabsorption by the blood which is relatively unaffected byobject-to-object variations.

A healthy oral object may include both arterial blood and venous blood.Blood within a vein may tend to be low in oxygen saturation even whenthe object is healthy, as that blood has already been used to supply thetissue with oxygen and the like. For this reason, it may be advantageousto selectively measure arterial blood. Pulse oximeter module 32 may takeadvantage of the pulsatile nature of arterial blood flow so as todistinguish arterial blood signals from venous blood signals, as venousblood flow tends to be steadier in nature. By selectively measuring thedifferences in red light absorption between high and low points of pulsefluctuations (systolic as opposed to diastolic), pulse oximeter module32 can compensate for the light absorbing effects of steady venous flowand selectively measure color of pulsating arterial blood. In otherwords, oxygen saturation SpO₂ is a function ƒ of the variation betweenminimum and maximum red light absorption and minimum and maximuminfrared light absorption according to the following equation:

${SpO}_{2} = {f\left\lbrack \frac{{\ln\left( \frac{\min}{\max} \right)}{Red}}{{\ln\left( \frac{\min}{\max} \right)}{IR}} \right\rbrack}$

Pulse oximeter systems and components are produced by (and may becommercially available from) a number of manufacturers, with existingsystems often being intended for use in hospitals. Hospital uses mayinclude anesthesia and neonatology, where monitoring the oxygenationlevel of blood is of particular benefit. Neurological applications andcerebral oximeter structures may also be employed. Commerciallyavailable portable pulse oximeters may be as light as 2 ounces, and themajority of oximeters, whether portable or for desktop use, make use ofa probe configured to engage a finger, an earlobe or the nose of apatient. While oximeters may have historically had significant capitalinvestments costs, one or more companies may have introduced portablefinger oximeters with much more reasonable costs and good quality.Commercial sources for pulse oximeters include NONIN, BCI, CSI, MASIMOof Irvine Calif., SOMANETICs, INVACARE, NELLCOR of Pleasanton Calif.,NOVAMETRIX, SENSORMEDICS, CRITICARE, INVACARE, and RESPIRONICS, MINOLTAof Japan, NIHON KOHDEN of Japan, and OMRON of Japan, as well as from anumber of European companies. Pulse oximeter manufacturers have directedsignificant efforts toward data-logging capability. It can beparticularly advantageous in pulse oximetry measurements to avoid and/orovercome measurement problems associated with motion of the patient orof the probe cable. A pulse oximeter with motion detection formodification and use in system 10 is described in U.S. PatentPublication No. US 2004/0034293 in the name of Victor E. Kimball, aspublished on Feb. 19, 2004, the full disclosure of which is alsoincorporated herein by reference.

Regarding spectrophotometry module 33, oximetry may be considered partof a wider technology called spectrophotometry. While oximeters measurethe reflectance or absorption of two specific colors in order todetermine oxygen contents of blood, spectrophotometers may (in someembodiments) more generally measure a range of colors, optionallyincluding the whole visible spectrum and infrared and/or ultraviolet.Depending on the width of the spectrum and the color resolution, awealth of information can be obtained from an oral object engaged byprobe body 12. Hence, spectrophotometers may be used for oximetry,although pulse oximetry may not necessarily provide fullspectrophotometric measurements. Spectrophotometers and componentsthereof may be available from HP, Agilent, Milton Roy, Perkin-Elmer,Varian-Cary, Beckmann Coulter, Amersham Biosciences (part of GE), andInstrument Systems GmbH.

Laser Doppler module 34 may similarly make use of light energytransmitted to the tooth from light source 36. In the case of laserDoppler measurements, the light may be readily directed from end 28 andthrough window 20 to the tooth so as to be scattered within the tooth.Light scattered from within the dental pulp and other structures of thetooth can be transmitted proximally through window 20 and end 28 tolight detector 30 along optical path 38 as described above. LaserDoppler module 34 will typically employ measurements of light signalfrequencies generated by the tooth in response to monochromatic lightfrom light source 36.

In laser Doppler measurements monochromatic light will often be absorbedand scattered within the oral object. Part of the light is scattered bya static oral object, while another part of the monochromatic light willbe scattered by moving blood cells within the oral object. The lightscattered by the moving cells undergoes a slight frequency shift due tothe Doppler effect. The mixing of the Doppler shifted and unshiftedbackscattered light as measured by a light detector 30 will includeintensity fluctuations with Doppler frequencies. The Doppler signal canbe determined by the number of red blood cells and their velocities inthe oral object, and may give rise to, for example, Doppler frequencycomponents in a range of up to 50 kHz. Processing of electrical signalsfrom light detector 30 within laser Doppler module 34 throughout a rangeof 0-50 kHz can thereby provide a measurement of blood flow within theoral object.

Control module 40 may modulate the light generated by light source(s) 36(e.g., by pulsing, amplitude variation or frequency modulation) toenhance the processing capabilities and/or performance, and particularlythe signal-to-noise performance of modules 32, 33, and 34. Said modulescould for instance contain synchronous detectors, the use of which mayreduce steady state interferences. Modulation may allow measurement ofcharacteristics that are undetectable or more difficult to measure withan un-modulated light source.

An output/control module 40 of processor 16 may supervise generation ofthe light energy by light source 36. Once again, there are a number ofcommercial sources and manufacturers of laser-Doppler systems anddevices, including Perimed AB, of Sweden, Moor Instruments Ltd. of theUnited Kingdom, Oxford Optronix of the United Kingdom, Transonic SystemsInc. of the United States, and the like. Output/control module 40 mayalso correlate pulse oximetry, spectrophotometry, and/or laser Dopplerblood flow measurements from modules 32, 33, and/or 34 so as to providean output signal to the system user indicating the measured health ofthe oral object. The output will generally comprise a readout of oralobject health, as indicated by the measurement results. For example, inthe case of tooth vitality measurements, tooth vitality as indicated byblood flow and/or blood oxygen within the dental pulp may be output,thereby providing an objective tooth vitality indication. The output mayindicate oxygen saturation and/or blood flow speed or quantity, as wellas indicating the vitality of the tooth to the system user.

Light source 36 will often comprise one or more light emitting diodes,laser diodes, bandpass filtered broad-band light sources, unfilteredbroadband light sources, or the like, and may produce light energy atone frequency or a plurality of different frequencies. In someembodiments, a plurality and/or an array of light sources may be used,and any of a variety of known optical components such as lenses,filters, prisms, and the like may be included in the optical path. Lightdetector 30 may comprise an electrooptical sensor or light receiver, anarray of sensors, or the like. The light source may optionally provide(for example) light of about 660 nm and infrared light of 850 nm, andlight detector 30 may measure light intensity at one or more suchfrequencies. Light detector 30 may also measure laser Dopplerfrequencies from the light source frequencies, and will often includeone or more photodetector semiconductor chips.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, the structure and interactionbetween probe body 12, alternative transmission media, and alternativesignal receivers can be understood. Probe body 12 includes a first probebody portion 50 having a first tooth engaging surface 18 and a secondprobe body portion 52 having a second tooth engaging surface. The probebody portions can move relative to each other, thereby forming a clampfor affixing probe body 12 relative to a tooth, gums, or other oralobjects. Probe body 12 also defines a receptacle 54 which fittinglyreceives signal receiver/transmission media assembly 14, therebyaffixing the signal receiver (waveguide end 28 in this embodiment)relative to the tooth. Window 20 may sealingly engage the adjacentportions of casing 22 and/or first and second portions 50, 52 so as tomaintain sterile isolation of the signal receiver and adjacenttransmission media from the mouth.

In some embodiments, the window and adjacent portions of the probe bodymay comprise the same material, and/or may be integrally formed. Inother embodiments, window 20 may be bonded to the adjacent structures ofthe probe body using adhesives, ultrasonic welding, or the like. Forexample, window 20 may comprise a transmissive structure integrallyformed with adjacent portion 52 and aligned with the signal receiver, ormay comprise a transmissive structure formed as a portion of adjacentcasing 22 and aligned with the signal receiver. Suitable materials forfabrication of window 20 include, for example, polycarbonate, glass,and/or mica. Optionally, window 20 may comprise a lens to focus ordefocus the electromagnetic signal from the oral object onto the signalreceiver. Alternatively, window 20 may transmit the signal unaltered.

The first and second portions, 50, 52 and casing 22 of probe body 12 maycomprise a material such as polysulfone, acetal, nylon, and/or ABSplastic. The first and second portions may be affixed to casing 22 bybonding, fasteners, adhesives, ultrasonic welding, a threadedconnection, or the like, or these structures may be formed integrally bymolding these parts (or all of) probe body 12 as a single piece, forexample. Standard injection molding processes may be used to fabricatethe probe body as portions, whether they are formed separately or as oneor more integral units.

Optical waveguide 26 of signal receiver/energy transmitter 14 maycomprise a single fiber or a bundle having two or more fibers, withfibers often comprising glass optical fibers. An insertable portion 56is generally adapted for insertion into opening 24 of probe body 12,insertable piece 56 may, for example, comprise a surgical steel tubehaving an inner diameter such that a bundle of glass fibers is encasedand held firmly thereby. An outer diameter of insertable piece 56 mayfittingly engage the surrounding casing 22 of probe body 12 when signalreceiver/transmitter 14 is inserted therein. A proximal end 58 of casing22 may be separated from window 20 by a distance sufficient so that theproximal end is disposed outside the oral cavity when probe body 12 isin use.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3B, insertable piece 56 supports one or moreelectro-optical light sensors or photodetectors 60. Photodetector 60comprises a light receiving sensor which generates electrical signals inresponse to light, and may be mounted to a substrate with or withoutrelated electronic circuitry and electrical wires. Optionally,photodetector 60 may comprise an array of sensors, and the electricalsignals from the photodetector may vary with a strength of the lightsignals from the oral object, with a frequency of the light signals fromthe oral object, and/or the like. The substrate of the photosensor mayalso support a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED), alaser diode, or the like, or a separate substrate may be provided withor without related electronic circuitry and/or electrical wires. Thelight source or an array of light sources may be included withininsertable piece 56. Electrical wires 62 couple the photodetector 60 toprocessor 16, and thereby serve as a transmission medium. Hence, in theembodiment of FIG. 3B, light source 36 and/or light detector 30 areincorporated into insertable piece 56 for insertion into probe body 12.

To enhance performance of the system, the signal receiver (whether inthe form of an optical fiber end 28 or a photodetector 60 or some otherlight signal receiving structure) may include one or more lenses (suchas GRaded INdex or GRIN lenses, spherical lenses, or the like),non-reflective coatings, and/or the like. In other embodiments, awireless transponder may be coupled to a photodetector and inserted intoopening 24 of probe body 12, so that the transponder acts as a signaltransmitter without relying on optical cables, wires, or the like, andso that the casing 22 need not extend out of the mouth. Energy for sucha transponder may be provided by a battery disposed within opening 24,or energy may be supplied from an external electromagnetic field, thewireless transponder optionally conveying information by dynamicallychanging the active load of the external electromagnetic field.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, light may be transmitted toward the oralobject through window 20, and may also be received from the oral objectthrough window 20. As can be understood with reference to FIG. 4,alternative embodiments may include first and second windows 20 a, 20 bpositioned so as to transmit light through the tooth (or other oralobject) therebetween. Pulse oximeter systems may benefit from probestructures which are configured to transmit light through an oral objectsuch as a dental pulp, while laser Doppler devices are particularly wellsuited to transmitting light to and receiving scattered light from theoral object from one side of the oral object, and can be easily usedwith or without transmitting the light through the oral object.Nonetheless, pulse oximetry, spectrophotometry, and laser Dopplertechniques may be used by transmitting light through the oral object,and/or using arrangements in which light is transmitted and receivedthrough a single window, adjacent windows, or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B, pass-through probe body 70includes first and second portions 50, 52 which move relative to eachother and to clamp a tooth therebetween. First and second windows 20 a,20 b are disposed along optical path 38 between first and secondreceptacles 54 a, 54 b, first and second casings 22 a, 22 b define firstand second openings 24 a, 24 b, respectively. An optical waveguideinsertable portion 72 includes a waveguide end 28 which may be used forsending optical energy toward the oral object or receiving opticalsignals from the oral object. An electro-optical insertable portion 74includes an electro-optical device 76 which likewise can either sendenergy or receive optical signals. Pass-through probe body 70 may makeuse of electrical energy transmitted from a fiberoptic cable or anelectro-optical device (such as a laser diode) disposed within firstopening 24 a. Similarly, pass-through probe body 70 may make use ofsignals received by an end of an optical waveguide 28 and transmitted bythe optical waveguide 26, or signals received by an electro-opticaldevice (such as a photodetector) and transmitted by wires 62 from withinsecond opening 24 b.

Openings 24 a, 24 b extend along an adjacent surface of a tooth, so thatdistal ends of the signal transmitting and receiving structures are notnormal to the tooth surface. So as to enhance efficiency and provide amore comfortable probe, mirrors 78 directs optical path 38 between theenergy transmitter and signal receiver. Receptacles 54 a and/or 54 b maybe defined, for example, by surrounding casings 22 a, 22 b and by afeature of pass-through probe body 70 engageable with the distal end ofthe insertable piece, such as a surface of mirror 78. To allow thecasing and insertable piece to move to a comfortable position clear ofother oral tissues, a joint may be provided between the casing 22 a, 22b and the adjacent portions 50, 52, with the joint optionally comprisinga rotational joint allowing rotation about an axis of optical path 38.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-7, additional details on a clamp structure forsecuring a probe body to a tooth, adjacent gum, or other tissue surfaceswithin the mouth can be understood. In this embodiment of a clamp probebody 79, first portion 50 is supported relative to a housing 80 by anarm 82. Second portion 52 with window 20 and the adjacent casing 22 arebiased by a spring 84 when casing 22 is movably disposed within achannel 86 of housing 80. As a result, second portion 52 (and the lighttransmitting/receiving structure) are urged toward first portion 50 soas to clamp a tooth therebetween.

As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 6B and 6C, a feature suchas an indented portion 88 of the probe may engage with a correspondingsurface of a re-usable component. In this embodiment, indented portion88 protrudes into a detent 90 of insertable portion 56 when the lighttransmitter or receiver is disposed at the receptacle adjacent window20. The engaging surfaces of indentation 88 and detent 90, together withthe adjacent structure, may be configured so as to impose changes on theprobe body when the insertable portion is removed therefrom to inhibitre-use of the probe body. For example, casing 22 may be frangibleadjacent indentation 88 such that when insertable portion 56 is removedthe adjacent casing may be at least in part severed. Alternatively,indented portion 88 may be permanently deformed. Without an appropriatestructure to retain the insertable portion adjacent window 20, it may bedifficult or impractical to reuse the probe body.

Referring again to FIG. 6B, the first portion may slidingly receive thesecond portion with a toothed or ratchet mechanism. This ratchetmechanism may allow the second portion to travel towards the firstportion, but may inhibit movement of the two parts away from each otheruntil a release mechanism is employed. A toothed portion of 85 of casing22 is shown in FIG. 6B, and may engage cooperating grooves/teeth insidechannel 86 of housing 80.

A wide variety of alternative structures might be used. Optionally, aratchet clamp structure might be employed with removal effected byreleasing the ratchet. An exemplary frangible probe body 110 andassociated intra-oral reusable components are illustrated in FIGS. 6Dand 6E, respectively. The probe body again has a casing 22 as shown in across-sectional view. A reusable insertable piece 116 in which thetransmission medium 26 is fixed has one or more cuts or grooves 114.

Frangible probe body 110 has one or more detent 118 that fits intogroove 114 and that can fix insertable piece 116 (and hence end 28) in adesired locked position relative to window 20. Each detent 118 iscoupled to casing 22 by a spring 120, with a breakpoint 122 coupling thespring to the casing. Insertable piece 116 has a rounded point 124, sothat upon insertion of the insertable piece into casing 22, detent 118is pushed into a cavity 126. Once insertable piece 116 is fullyinserted, detent 118 is urged into groove 114 by spring 120.

When insertable piece 116 is removed from frangible probe body 110, thedetent 118 and spring 120 break from casing 22 at the breaking point122, such that further use of the probe body is inhibited, as theinsertable piece can no longer be fixed into a locked position.Insertable piece 116 is not affected, and can be used with anotherfrangible probe body 110.

As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a tooth T havingpulp P is illustrated while employing the tooth vitality measurementmethods of the present invention. In these embodiments, probe bodies 90,92 are held in alignment with tooth T at least in part by biting of theprobe bodies between the tooth and another tooth T2. In the embodimentof FIG. 8, a deformable material 94 introduces lateral friction ortemporarily glues the probe body to tooth T (or another oral object).Suitable deformable materials might include thixotropic gels, such aspolyvinyl siloxane (sold commercially as Star VPS™). In the embodimentof FIG. 9, first and second portions 50, 52 of probe body 92 aresqueezed together by biting down on a third portion 96 having awedge-shaped inner surface. This squeezes the first and second portions50, 52 towards each other on opposed surfaces of tooth T.

A variety of additional embodiments and variations are also possible. Ingeneral, the casing may comprise a rigid or semi-rigid structure. Inmany embodiments, the casing will extend so that the signal receiver,energy transmitter, and at least a portion of the signal transmissionmedium (and/or wireless signal telemetry components) are covered by thecasing or otherwise need not touch any oral objects or be exposed to theoral cavity when the probe body is positioned in situ. In someembodiments, at least a portion of the probe body may comprise aflexible or deformable structure. For example, casing 22 may besufficiently long and flexible that the associated components of thesystem are protected while providing the comfort and safety of allowingthe transmission medium to be directed from a variety of positionswithin the oral cavity. In some embodiments, some or all of the probebody may comprise a highly flexible material such as a membrane or acloth. A variety of releasable catches may be employed to hold theinsertable components of the system within the casing for the course ofmeasurement of a single oral object or multiple oral objects within thepatient's mouth. As the probe body may be disposable, the catch orcasing may break or be rendered unusable upon release so as to avoidre-use and contamination of a different patient. Alternatively, theprobe body may be sterilizable. Flexibility and/or a joint of the casingrelative to the oral object engaging surfaces and window of the probebody may accommodate a variety of attachment angles so as to measurevitality of teeth that might otherwise be difficult to access.

Tooth-vitality testing probe bodies, and more generally, probe bodiesintended for the oral-object health measurements described herein, maybe classified as semicritical devices. Approval and use of such devicesmay benefit from configuring, marketing, and using the devices as eitherdisposable or sterilizable. Suitable sterilization techniques to applymay include autoclave (steam and pressure for 30 minutes), ultrasonic,and/or cold sterilization (overnight). Hence, the detachable probebodies will often be either disposable or sterilizable using these orother techniques.

Disposable probe bodies may have frangible and/or permanently deformablestructures which are altered by their intended use so as inhibit usewith another patient. Circuitry may be mounted to some disposable probebodies to inhibit re-use in a wide variety of specific schemes. A probebody identifying signal stored on the probe body may be transmitted tothe processor of the system so that the processor can inhibit use ofthat probe body with another patient. Alternatively, an electrical oroptical component of the probe body may be irreversibly altered byelectrical or optical energy during use, with the system detecting thestate of that electrical or optical component before oral healthmeasurements so as to inhibit re-use (and potential cross-contamination)with a different patient. Re-use of a probe body may be inhibited aftera single measurement of a single oral object. In other embodiments,re-use may be inhibited in response to alteration of a name of a patientinput into the processor, in response to a predetermined number of usesand/or a predetermined time passing since an initial use with a firstoral object, or the like, often so as to allow the probe body to beemployed for health measurements of a plurality of oral objects in asingle mouth of a single patient.

Disposable probe bodies may comprise materials, surfaces, and/orstructures which are difficult to effectively sterilize and/or whichdeteriorate significantly when subjected to sterilization. Suchdisposable probe bodies may be fabricated at relatively low cost whilebeing comfortable for the patient, as they may be resiliently and/orplastically deformed, bent, formed, or cut to shape. Disposable probebodies might include, for example, surfaces which are porous (such asthose formed as foams), internal cavities, low-temperaturethermoplastics (which may not withstand an autoclave), simple adhesivebonds (which may not withstand ultrasound or cold sterilization), andthe like. In contrast, sterilizable probe bodies will often beconfigured of materials, shapes, and/or assembly techniques which cansafely and repeatedly withstand the rigors of one or more sterilizationtechniques without unacceptable deterioration in system performance.Such probe bodies may comprise, for example, glass, metals, higher-costpolymers, threaded and other disassembleable fabrication techniques, andthe like. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the probe body(such as the window) may be fabricated as a re-usable and sterilizablecomponent, while another portion (such as a deformable tooth-engagingsurface) may comprise a disposable component.

While the exemplary embodiments have been described in some detail forclarity of understanding and by way of example, a number of changes,modifications, and adaptations will be obvious to those with skill inthe art. Hence, the scope of the invention is limited solely by theappended claims.

1. A detachable probe body for use with an oral health measurementsystem for oral health measurements of an oral object within a mouth ofa patient, the mouth having oral surfaces, the health measurement systemhaving reusable components including an electromagnetic signal receivercoupled to a processor for evaluating a health-related characteristic ofthe mouth from an electromagnetic signal, the probe body comprising: awindow capable of transmitting the electromagnetic signal from the oralobject to the signal receiver; a casing extending from the window, thecasing and window together defining an opening for receiving the signalreceiver so as to provide isolation of the reusable components from themouth; and at least one probe surface oriented to engage one or moreoral surfaces so as to maintain alignment between the signal receiverand the oral object.
 2. The probe body of claim 1, wherein the at leastone probe surface comprises a first probe surface region and a secondprobe surface region, the probe receiving the oral object with the firstand second probe surface regions.
 3. The probe body of claim 2, whereinthe probe body comprises a first probe body portion having the firstprobe surface region and a second probe body portion having the secondprobe surface region, the second body portion movable relative to thefirst body portion.
 4. The probe body of claim 3, further comprising abiasing structure urging the first probe surface region toward thesecond probe surface region when the oral object is at a desiredposition there between so as to accommodate a range of differing oralobject sizes.
 5. The probe body of claim 4, wherein the first portionslidingly receives the second portion, the biasing structure comprisinga spring urging the second region toward the first region when the oralobject is received there between.
 6. The probe body of claim 3, furthercomprising a ratchet coupling the first probe body portion to the secondprobe body portion, the ratchet oriented to allow movement of the firstprobe surface region toward the second probe surface region and toinhibit movement of the first probe surface region away from the secondprobe surface region.
 7. The probe body of claim 3, wherein at least oneof the first body portion, the second body portion, and an intermediateportion coupling the first and second body portions comprises adeformable material.
 8. The probe body of claim 7, wherein thedeformable material resiliently biases the first probe surface regiontoward the second probe surface region.
 9. The probe body of claim 7,wherein the deformable material defines the first probe surface region,the deformable material being sufficiently soft to deform against theoral object when a dentist manually applies pressure.
 10. The probe bodyof claim 5, wherein the first probe body portion is configured to movetoward the second body portion when a pressure is applied with anorientation lateral relative to the movement.
 11. The probe body ofclaim 10, wherein the probe body is configured so as to induce themovement of the body portions and engage opposed surfaces of at leastone tooth when the patient bites the probe body.
 12. The probe bodyportion of claim 1, wherein the at least one surface is configured to beengaged by the patient biting the probe body.
 13. The probe body ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one probe surface is defined by a materialthat deforms and introduces friction so as to temporarily affix theprobe body relative to the oral object.
 14. The probe body of claim 1,the reusable components of the measurement system including atransmission medium or a wireless system, wherein the casing fittinglyreceives the signal receiver to a predetermined position within theopening, the casing comprising a sheath receiving at least a portion ofthe transmission medium or the wireless system so as to maintain sterileseparation between the reusable components and the mouth.
 15. The probebody of claim 14, wherein the transmission medium comprises an opticalwaveguide and the signal receiver comprises a distal end of the opticalwaveguide, wherein the sheath distally receives the waveguide.
 16. Theprobe body of claim 15, further comprising a mirror disposed along anoptical path between the window and the end of the optical waveguide.17. The probe body of claim 16, further comprising a joint coupling thesheath to an oral object-receiving portion of the casing so as to allowmovement there between.
 18. The probe body of claim 1, furthercomprising a joint coupling at least a portion of the casing to the atleast one probe surfaces.
 19. The probe body of claim 14, wherein thetransmission medium comprises an electrical conductor and the signalreceiver comprises a light detector circuit, the sheath receiving aportion of the conductor adjacent the light detector circuit.
 20. Theprobe body of claim 14, wherein the signal receiver of the oral healthmeasurement system is coupled to an electromagnetic source of the oralhealth measurement system, and the casing receives the signal receiverand electromagnetic source therein.
 21. The probe body of claim 14, thecasing having a feature for engaging a surface of the oral healthmeasurement system to position the signal receiver relative to thecasing.
 22. The probe body of claim 21, wherein the casing is frangibleor permanently deformable adjacent the feature when the signal receiveris removed from the casing so as to inhibit re-use of the probe body.23. The probe body of claim 22, further comprising at least one materialthat is difficult to sterilize.
 24. The probe body of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one material that is difficult to sterilize.
 25. Theprobe body of claim 1, wherein at least an outer surface of the probebody is sterilizable.
 26. The probe body of claim 22, the oral healthmeasurement system having a source of visible or non-visible lightenergy, and further comprising another window and another casing forreceiving at least a portion of the energy source of the oral healthmeasurement system.
 27. The probe body of claim 1, wherein the oralhealth measurement system includes a source of visible or non-visiblelight energy coupled to a transmission medium, the transmission mediumalso directing the signal from the signal receiver to the processor, thesignal receiver comprising an integrated signal receiver/energytransmitter, the opening of the probe body removably receiving at leasta portion of the transmission medium adjacent the integrated signalreceiver/energy transmitter.
 28. The probe body of claim 27, furthercomprising a reflector, the oral object being disposed between thewindow and the reflector when the window is oriented to transmit theenergy toward the oral object so that the reflector helps direct theenergy back through the window and to the integrated signal receiverenergy transmitter.
 29. A detachable probe body for use with a bloodmeasurement system for tooth vitality measurements of a tooth within amouth of a patient, the mouth having oral surfaces, the bloodmeasurement system having reusable components including a light signalreceiver coupled to a processor for evaluating a characteristic of bloodfrom an electromagnetic signal, the probe body comprising: a windowcapable of transmitting the light signal from the tooth to the signalreceiver; a casing extending from the window, the casing and windowtogether defining an opening for receiving the signal receiver and atleast a portion of a signal transmitter so as to provide isolation ofthe reusable components from the mouth; and at least one surfaceoriented to engage one or more oral surfaces so as to maintain alignmentbetween the signal receiver and the tooth.
 30. The probe body of claim29, wherein the at least one surface comprises a first probe surfaceregion and a second probe surface region, the probe body receiving thetooth with the first and second surface regions, further comprising abiasing structure urging the first probe surface region toward thesecond probe surface region when the tooth is at a desired positiontherebetween so as to accommodate a range of differing teeth.
 31. Theprobe body of claim 29, wherein the probe body comprises a first probebody portion having a first probe surface region and a second probe bodyportion having a second probe surface region, the first portionslidingly being urged toward the second region of the second portionwhen the tooth is received therebetween and the patient bites the probebody.
 32. The probe body of claim 29, wherein the at least one surfaceis defined by a material that deforms so as to temporarily affix theprobe body relative to the tooth.
 33. The probe body of claim 29,wherein the casing fittingly receives the signal receiver to apredetermined position within the opening.
 34. The probe body of claim29, wherein the blood measurement system includes an optical waveguideand the signal receiver comprising a distal end of the opticalwaveguide, wherein the opening distally receives the waveguide.
 35. Theprobe body of claim 29, wherein the blood measurement system includes anelectrical conductor and the signal receiver comprising a light detectorcircuit, the opening receiving the light detector circuit and at least aportion of the conductor adjacent the light detector circuit.
 36. Theprobe body of claim 29, the casing having a feature for engaging asurface of the blood measurement system to position the signal receiverrelative to the casing, the casing being frangible or permanentlydeformable adjacent the feature when the signal receiver is removed fromthe casing so as to inhibit reuse of the probe body.
 37. The probe bodyof claim 29, the blood measurement system having a light energy sourceand an energy transmission medium, and further comprising another windowand another casing defining another opening for receiving the energysource and at least a portion of the energy transmission medium.
 38. Theprobe body of claim 29, wherein the blood measurement system includes alight energy source and an energy transmission medium for directingenergy to the tooth, the energy transmission medium also directing thesignal from the signal receiver to the processor, the signal receivercomprising an integrated signal receiver/energy transmitter, the openingof the probe body receiving at least a portion of the transmissionmedium adjacent the integrated signal receiver/energy transmitter. 39.An oral health measurement system for measurements of an oral objectwithin a mouth of a patient, the mouth having oral surfaces, themeasurement system comprising: a measurement apparatus having a visibleor non-visible light source, and having an electromagnetic signalreceiver coupled to a processor; a detachable probe body having: acasing removably receiving the signal receiver, a surface oriented toengage one or more oral surface so as to maintain alignment between thesignal receiver and the oral object, and at least one window disposedalong a path extending from the source to the oral object and from theoral object to the receiver, the at least one window transmittingvisible or non-visible light energy from the source to the oral object,and an optical signal from the oral object to the signal receiver. 40.The oral health measurement system of claim 39, wherein the measurementapparatus comprises at least one of a spectrophotometer, a pulseoximeter, and a laser Doppler system.
 41. The oral health measurementsystem of claim 40, wherein the electromagnetic source comprises a laseror light emitting diode generating light at a first frequency, andwherein a blood flow measurement apparatus includes a pulse oximetermodule that produces blood oxygenation signals in response to light atthe first frequency and light at a second frequency, and a laser Dopplermodule that produces blood flow signals in response to light at thefirst frequency.
 42. The oral health measurement system of claim 39,wherein the detachable probe body comprises at least one mirror disposedalong the optical path
 43. The oral health measurement system of claim39, wherein the energy source generates visible or non-visible lightenergy at a plurality of frequencies, and, wherein the measurementapparatus comprises a spectrophotometer employing at least one of thefrequencies, a pulse oximeter employing at least two of the frequencies,and a laser Doppler system employing at least one of the frequencies.44. The oral health measurement system of claim 39, wherein the casingisolates the signal receiver from the mouth, and wherein the processordetermines a health characteristic of the oral object in response to thelight signal.
 45. The oral health measurement system of claim 44,wherein the light source is modulated per a modulation sequence, andwherein the processor uses the modulated sequence to determine thehealth characteristic.
 46. The oral health measurement system of claim45, wherein the light source generates light at a range of frequencies,and wherein the processor comprises a spectrometer module fordetermining the oral health characteristic from the light signal.
 47. Anapparatus as claimed in claims 1, 29, or 39, wherein an outer surface ofthe probe body is defined by sterilizable material, and wherein theprobe body is configurable for repeated attachment to and detachmentfrom other system components.
 48. An apparatus as claimed in claims 1,29, or 39, wherein the probe body is not safely sterilizable.
 49. Amethod of measuring an oral object health, the method comprising:covering a signal receiver with a detachable probe body; affixing thesignal receiver relative to an oral object with the probe body;generating an oral object health characteristic signal by directingvisible or non-visible light energy toward the oral object; detectingthe oral object health signal with the affixed signal receiver through awindow of the probe body; determining an oral object healthcharacteristic by processing the detected oral object health signal witha processor coupled to the signal receiver.
 50. The method of claim 49,further comprising removing the probe body from a mouth, removing thesignal receiver from the probe body and disposing of the probe body,covering the signal receiver with another probe body, and affixing thesignal receiver relative to another oral object in another mouth withthe other probe body so as to avoid contamination of the other mouthwhen re-using the signal receiver.
 51. The method of claim 49, whereinremoving the signal receiver from the probe body comprises changing thebody so as to inhibit reuse of the probe body.